Association of International Accountants

In 2020, The Association of International Accountants (AIA) has surrendered its status as an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation. Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England.

AIA had supervisory status for its members in The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.

AIA is also statutorily recognised and listed accordingly in the Companies Act 1985 (as amended) for the purpose of Reporting Accountants.

AIA full members (AAIA or FAIA) were eligible to apply for membership of the Association of Authorised Public Accountants (AAPA), which is a Recognised Supervisory Body (RSB).

Ireland

AIA is listed as a Prescribed Body under the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 in Ireland and is supervised by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA).

AIA full members (AAIA or FAIA), particularly those holding practising certificates, are eligible to undertake a wide range of regulated work in Ireland (additional authorisation may be required), including:

Operate as a Personal Insolvency Practitioner

Operate in Corporate Insolvency (Liquidator or Examiner)

Certify the accounts produced by the Boards of Management of certain schools

Examine accounts of Charities with incomes of less than €100,000

Produce an Accountants report required of Licensed Property Services

Advise under the Abhaile Mortgage Arrears Resolution Scheme

Certify the financial standing of an applicant for a Road Haulage Operators License

Complete an Independent Accountants Report with respect to certain grants provided by Enterprise Ireland

Cyprus

The AIA professional qualification is recognised for the purpose of audit of public companies according to article 155(1)(b), Chapter 113, of the Companies Act.

AIA members are eligible for membership of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC).

Singapore

In Singapore, membership of AIA is viewed as a recognised qualification for the purpose of acting as a secretary of a public company under section 171(1AA) of the Companies Act and recognized by the Singapore Ministry of Law under one of the seven recognized accountancy bodies to certify the Money Lender Act reporting requirement.

Hong Kong

AIA and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) have signed an agreement for Mutual Examination Paper Exemption (MEPE) in 19/5/2008. The MEPE replaces the HKICPA's unilateral recognition accorded to AIA (which ceased in 30/6/2005).

Mainland China

AIA have signed an agreement with the China Association of Chief Financial Officers for AMIA certification.

AIA launched the AIA-CICPA Conversion Program in 2009 to promote internationalisation of the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA), the sole authoritative body for accountancy in mainland China. The conversion course is open to qualified CICPA members and successful candidates are eligible for direct membership of AIA.

India

AIA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) have signed a MoU for reciprocal membership arrangement. The MoU allows appropriately qualified and experienced AIA members to join the ICAI, a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 of India. (The same information is not available on ICAI official website) The MOU have lapsed in 2016.

Malaysia

The AIA professional qualification (FAIA/AAIA) is recognised by the Public Service Department of the Malaysian Government as equivalent to an Honours Degree (in Accounting field) of a Public Institution of Higher Learning. Graduates of AIA are meanwhile, recognised as having a qualification equivalent to a General Degree (in Accounting field) of a Public Institution of Higher Learning.

The AIA certification is recognised under Section 153(3)of the Income Tax Act 1967, for purpose of registration as an Authorised Tax Agent.

AIA members (FAIA/AAIA) are eligible for membership of The Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM).

AIA members (FAIA/AAIA) are eligible for Professional Membership of The Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia (IIA Malaysia)

United States

The Institute of Internal Auditors Inc includes the AIA membership (FAIA/AAIA) in its Professional Recognition Credit List (PRC4). Thus, AIA members are eligible for exemption for Part 4 of the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam, the only globally recognised certification for internal auditors. Not recognized by the CPA Association

Canada

Not recognized for any purpose(immigration, education or work)

St Lucia

AIA is listed as a parent body for Accountants and Auditors under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of St Lucia (Incorporation) Act 1985.

Trinidad & Tobago

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago recognises AIA within the Schedule of Registered Societies.

Belize

AIA is listed as a scheduled society under the Accounting Profession Act Chapter 305 for membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Belize.

Dominica

The Commonwealth of Dominica under its Companies Act 1994, recognises AIA as a parent body for Accountants and Auditors.

Ghana

AIA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) have agreed a pathway to membership that provides a route for AIA members to join ICAG. This agreement offers members of both AIA and ICAG the opportunity to enjoy the benefits that both organisations can offer, which include increased international recognition and improved professional mobility.

To obtain ICAG membership, AIA members must demonstrate three years' relevant practical work experience in accountancy and finance, provide two referees and attend an induction programme that outlines the professional and ethical expectations of the Ghanaian Institute.

Both organisations require members to adhere to their continuing professional development policies and pay their annual subscription to maintain their membership.

Nigeria

AIA is recognized under the ANAN Act 76 of 1993 Schedule 4 for membership with the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

Mauritius

AIA is recognized by the National Accreditation and Equivalence Council for membership of the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants under the Financial Reporting Act 2004 S.51(3).

Uganda

The Accountants Act 1992 (Ch 266), recognizes AIA's eligibility for enrolment as full member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.